The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
No. 19/17 LSU
Allen's Walk-Off Home Run Lifts UAB over LSU
2/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 7, 2009
HONOLULU, Hawai'i - Sophomore Amanda Allen hit a three-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift UAB over LSU, 5-3, and advance to the Hawai'i Paradise Classic championship game. The home run came on a 1-2 count with 2 outs and runners at second and third.
"These girls didn't quit," said UAB head softball coach Marla Townsend. "We fought hard and battled back to take this one."
UAB jumped out to an early lead in the third inning when freshman Erica Sisson singled to center field, scoring freshman Tiffany Smith and sophomore Kayla Orr. Freshman pitcher Lindsey Croft pitched an outstanding game, giving up just three hits through the first six innings after recording a one-hitter the night before against Hawai'i.
But in the top of the seventh, LSU was able to steal the lead. The Tigers scored two runs to tie the game after the Blazers made two crucial errors. Allen misplayed a hit in right field and Kayla Orr was unable to track down a ball in the infield. LSU then took a 3-2 lead after Ashley Applegate hit a sacrifice fly to right field scoring Ashley Langoni from third. Freshman pitcher Amber Torres was then called in to replace Croft who finished the day allowing 6 hits while striking out two and walking two. Torres was able to closeout the inning after giving up one hit.
Down 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh, freshman Catherine Douglass singled to right field and junior Martina Landrum reached first on a well-placed bunt. With runners at first and second, junior Cameron Skates laid down a sacrifice bunt advancing Douglass to third and Landrum to second. Senior Andrea Rogers was unable to advance the runners and fouled out to LSU's third baseman. Allen then came to the plate and got behind in the count 1-2. On the next pitch, Allen hit a deep ball to left field sealing the victory for the Blazers. The home run was the third in the right fielder's career.
"This was incredible," said Townsend. "For Amanda Allen to come back mentally after making the error was just huge for us. Thanks to her, an amazing outing by Lindsey Croft and a strong defensive showing by the rest of the team, we were able to overcome our mistakes and reclaim this game."
The Blazers are now 2-2 overall on the year and will face the winner of the No. 6 Oklahoma/Hawai'i game in the championship round of the Hawai'i Paradise Classic Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. HST.
